Barge accident in Columbia River early today

SEATTLE — The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a barge accident in the Columbia River.

A bar carrying 1.8 million gallons of diesel fuel struck an underwater object at about 3 a.m. today near The Dalles Dam. No pollution has been reported.

The double-bottom barge Tri-City Voyager was being pushed by the tug Defiance.

After the accident, the tug and barge continued north, through the locks and safely moored at the upper basin north wall. Lock operators told the Coast Guard that they didn’t smell diesel fuel and saw no visible pollution.